“Life’s Too Short for Boring!”: Frock On for a Good Cause this October
- Words by Peppermint
above PEPPERMINT BARDON DRESS. PHOTO BY RACHAEL BASKERVILLE.
During October you can do some good as easily as getting dressed in the morning! For the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), October is Frocktober, the biggest (and most stylish) fundraiser for ovarian cancer research in Australia, empowering peeps of all genders, shapes and sizes to channel their creative caring flair through their most fabulous frocks and raise urgently needed funds for the OCRF’s innovative research projects.
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer, claiming the life of one Australian every eight hours. Frocktober funds are dedicated to the development of an early-detection test, which could save the lives of 1.3 million people globally over the next decade.
As far as excuses to dress up go, it’s hard to think of a better one! So, inspired by this year’s theme – “Life’s too short for boring!” – we’re putting our best frocks forward and celebrating some of the loudest and proudest Peppermint dresses as made by our Peppermint pals!
If you’re interested in learning more, head to frocktober.org.au where you can donate directly to the OCRF, or register a fundraiser of your own!
THE EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL
The foundational Frocktober challenge is to wear a frock all 31 days of October so where better to start than with the Peppermint Everyday Dress made in collaboration with In The Folds? @JuanitaFlett serves everyday glam in her Nerida Hansen cotton sateen number, while @RavenMaureen_ rang in the new year with her sequin-tastic hack!
THE BOUNTIFUL BOWEN
The fabulously floaty Peppermint Bowen Dress is an easy breezy make! Crafted by the brilliant Hubba Ding, it’s simple to put together with dramatic results. @Rhi___Made’s floral number flourishes in the beauty of the outback landscape and @LittleDanaDoes‘ patchworked spectacular tells the story of her sewing journey within its different fabric pieces.
THE BODACIOUS BARDON
A firm favourite among our sewing patterns, the Peppermint Bardon Dress is a perennial crowd-pleaser from the extraordinary Elbe Textiles! @SewDoItEmma is serving cottagecore cuteness in her bird-embellished Bardon, while the crafty @Maker.Mother.Crone has concocted some circle skirt magic in the tiers creating a show-stoppingly swishy skirt!
THE MAGNIFICENT MAXI
Another fantastic showing from the beloved Elbe Textiles, the clever construction details of the Peppermint Wide Strap Maxi Dress can’t be beat! From its premium pocket design to its ease-allowing elasticated back, it’s a joy to make and wear!
@PopsCanSew rocks her maxi in a wildin’ wildlife Ellie Whitaker print and some gloriously eye-popping colour combos, meanwhile, @Geri_In_Stitches opted for a tasteful white – then used her extreme tie-dyeing abilities to create a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour!
THE BEDAZZLING BUTTON UP
An oldie but a goodie, the Peppermint Button-Up Dress, also an In The Folds collabo, presents a pantheon of opportunities to bedazzle, bejewel or otherwise bedeck your make in adornments. @_GooglyGuys’s punk-rock frock features a funky print portrait, while @AutumnYarn eschews the buttons for a nifty zip and some excellent embroidered pockets!
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The fabulous Fern! We heart this make from the wonderful Trixie Johnston of @WithLoveTrixie:
"I’m chuffed to have collaborated with @PeppermintMagazine to bring you my version of the #PeppermintFernPleatedPants ✨
Featuring a wide leg fit with pleated front, slash pockets and a nifty centre back invisible zip. I really enjoyed the way this pattern is drafted to fit, which means a lot coming from a mum navigating postpartum curves. It’s tailored yet comfortable and hugs me in all the right places without any additional fit adjustments.
I also want to give a massive shout to the Fern’s sewing partners @Sohmo_Au for sending me a cookie tin of quality sewing goodies that I used throughout the project and @IndyBindyFabrics fabrics who provided the most incredible black cotton Sashiko-ori fabric. This fabric was made on a custom loom that weaves in a traditional sashiko (decorative running stitch pattern) and it’s a texture unlike anything I’ve sewn before.�
Details: �
• Size G – No mods. (I selected the size based off my waist measurements) Note: Size ranges from A-P (!!!)
• Fern Pleated Pants Pattern, SOHMO tools and Fabric were gifted however, Peppermint magazine’s ‘Pay what you can’ model provides such amazing patterns at a sustainable, affordable cost.
• Matching top is a modified version of The Carol Top from @SummerHaus_ (size 10)"
#PeppermintPatterns #IndyBindyFabrics #Sohmo #MeMade
“When people get old, they die. This art form is like a plant. You may think it has died, but nurture it, and it will come back to life. It lives on through generations.”
These words by Gami, an artisan who helped revive the lost tradition of Lambadi embroidery, speaks to the wisdom that Meanjin/Brisbane photographer Melanie Hinds (@WithThePeaches) experienced during her visit to Sittilingi village in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, India, in 2023. Melanie went there to document how the once-nomadic Lambadi tribe are reviving their traditional embroidery craftsmanship and transforming their community through the @PorgaiArtisans Association’s artists’ residency.
Her photos became part of the ‘Stitching Stories’ exhibition at the India Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA24) Program hosted in Fremantle: an intimate portrait of the women empowered both economically and socially by the initiative, and their captivating work. Gaelle Beech of @TheAnjelmsProject also helped make this exhibition a reality.
Nothing goes to waste in their craft, says Melanie, with even the smallest fabric scraps transformed into toys for children or woven into ropes for beds. “Through their intricate hand-stitched work, these women are preserving a centuries-old craft.”
Discover the beauty in our ‘Pride of place’ feature in Issue 64, at stockists now.
#PeppermintMagazine #PorgaiArtisans #LambadiEmbroidery #Craft #TraditionalEmbroidery
West End inside and out!
How fabulous is this make from Lisa of @SunnySewsEveryday using the West End Jacket pattern (created in collab with Camille @CamiMadePatterns) for both a shirt AND jacket! 👏🏼
“Now have a Westend shirt to wear with my Westend jacket. I just can’t get enough of this pattern. I went down two sizes and used a brushed cotton from Pound Fabrics.”
Grab this gorgeous gender-neutral pattern from our website now!
#PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintWestEndJacket #JacketPattern #MeMade
Frame your face with the Peppermint Bucket Hat!
Stay safe and stylish in the sun with your very own self-sewn and self-drafted wide-brimmed bucket hat. This beginner-friendly sew is perfect for a sunny day. Get out your pencils – this pattern is created using equations and maths!
This DIY project was featured in Issue 53 and now you can access it for the lovely low price of only $5.
Sun-safe chic is always in style. ☀️
Find it via the link in our bio!
Photos: @KelleySheenan
#PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintBucketHat #BucketHat #BucketHatPattern #DIY
At @Life_Instyle, the focus is firmly on curating things that support real life: objects made to be lived with, loved, and returned to day after day. From tactile materials and emotional utility to Australian-made craftsmanship and slower, more considered production, the trends emerging may not be loud, but you can bet they’re lasting.
Ahead of their Sydney showcase this February, we asked Life Instyle’s Exhibition Director Nina Vidale to share her take on the values, ideas and rituals shaping the year to come, and the brands leading the way with care for people, planet and the creative process.
Read more about the top ethical design trends, and why values-led design (be it sustainability, craftsmanship, longevity, Australian-made) are resonating so strongly right now at the link in bio!
✨️ Life Instyle Sydney/Eora Country
📅 14-17 February 2026
📍 ICC, Darling Harbour
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #EthicalShopping #DesignTrends
Has the Peppermint Acacia A-line Skirt made it to your sewing list yet? It`s perfect for summer, and is great layered over tights for the cooler days. Lengthen it, or wear it short – you do you!🪡
Did you know if you buy the digital version of Issue 63, you`ll nab the digital pattern for free? And the printed version comes with the print issue of 63... winning all round.
Made in collaboration with our friends at @WeftAndWarpFabrics, our version of the Acacia A-line Skirt pattern was sewn using the Tollerton 100% cotton 9oz denim. We added contrast top stitching using Gutermann Professional Jeans Thread in Dark Gold 1970 for that classic look.
Head to the link in bio to nab this pattern now – or grab it free with Issue 63!🪡
Images: @KelleySheenan
Model: @LoveStepha
Artwork: @MelanieShmelanie at North Lakes Library
Fabric: Denim from @WeftAndWarpFabrics
#PeppermintAcaciaAlineSkirt #PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintPatterns #MeMade #WeftAndWarpFabrics
